Horsey

The closest Broadland village to the coast, with a magnificent windpump on the banks of a windswept broad.

An Introduction to Horsey

Horsey is the closest Broadland village to the coast - it is only about a mile from the sea - and its therefore a great place to see both. A magnificent windpump (owned by the National Trust) sits on Horsey staithe and is open to visitors. The dyke leads to Horsey Mere, a windswept broad which is only open to the public spring to autumn. The village itself is small and has a church with round tower and a lovely country pub (partway down the track to the beach). A gap in the sea-defences allows access to the almost deserted beach. In summer, a kiosk at the staithe car-park sells refreshments. Between November and early February, the beach at Horsey is home to a colony of grey seals that come on the beach to breed.

Horsey Map

Horsey Guided Picture Tour

We start our tour of Horsey at the magnificent Windpump. This five storey windpump was built in 1912 to pump water out from the surrounding land so that it could be used for agriculture. It was operational until 1943, when it was hit by lightning.

Horsey Windpump

Horsey Dyke and Windpump

Horsey Windmill

The National trust took ownership of Horsey Windpump in 1948 and restored it. It is now open to visitors on certain days in season. You can climb the floors of the pump and see the workings, with steep steps taking you up to the top for a great view back over Horsey! For more information see the National Trust website.

Cogs in Horsey Windmill

Workings of Horsey Windpump, managed by the National Trust

Steps to the top of Horsey Windpump

View from the top of Horsey Windpump

One story tells how the operator at Horsey found himself entangled in the pump's machinery as he tried to secure the building against the storm in 1943; his cries are still said to be heard on windy nights as the ghost of his mangled body continues to be dragged around by the windpump's huge, wooden sails.

The Buxton family continue to manage the surrounding 2000 acre Horsey Estate. There are paths that lead along both sides of the dyke leading to Horsey Mere.
One path leads along the banks of the Waxham New Cut to the remains of Brograve Drainage Mill. The path the other side of the dyke is a much shorter and leads to a view point over Horsey Mere. All paths offer fabulous views over the reeds, marshes and glistening water. A refreshment hut on Horsey Staithe offers an opportunity to get a cup of tea (seasonal).

For a lovely walk, take the National Trust path that leads from the windpump over NT land towards the coast. This short walk gives a lot of variety, from Broadland, flat countryside, to a windswept beach. The path does get a little muddy in winter. The track leads towards a gap in the sea defences. The sand dunes are a nature reserve and another path leads up and down the coast - you can walk for miles!
The beach is over the sand dunes and is usually deserted - except during the Seal breeding season of November to February.

Mid-way between the windpump and the coast you will find the excellent Nelson Head Pub. This is a great place for a pint or a pub lunch. The bar is crammed full of Nelson pictures and maritime memorabilia. A log fire roars away in the colder months. Well behaved dogs are allowed inside the bar.

The Nelson Head pub at Horsey

Drinkers enjoying a pint at the Nelson Head in Horsey

Returning back to the village itself, we find the church of All Saints, which has a Saxon rounded tower, with the remainder of the building dating from around the 13th century. It's location is a lovely remote and peaceful place. The remainder of Horsey is made up of pretty cottages and leafy lanes.

Horsey church of All Saints

A stained glass window in Horsey church

Inside All Saints church, Horsey

Horsey village cottage

Horsey village lanes

Destination

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7 Things to SEE & DO at Horsey

Take a look around the magnificent windpump and climb the steps to the top for amazing views

Enjoy a refreshment at the staithe cafe (seasonal)

Explore the village and church, making sure you spend time to take a look inside this medieval building

Our Verdict

If you like remote places, where all you can hear is the sound of the countryside, then Horsey is for you. It has lovely views of Horsey Mere and its windmill and then you can walk over fields and enjoy a remote beach. To finish, enjoy a pub lunch in the Nelson themed pub.

POSTBAG

Thomas Smithdale land drainage engineers were responsible for many of the Windmills in Norfolk back in the late 1930's, my father being one of the sons carrying out work on many of the mills. He told us many stories about the work which was undertaken in those days, we also visited many of them when I was a child. I remember the very harsh weather the men had to work in. Yours sincerely Jacky (nee) Smithdale

Researching days out during the school holidays, I found the pictures a great help as they give a good overview of the mill and surrounding area. Will definitely be visiting in August. Kim from Lowestoft.